Croatia U‑18 water polo team wins world championship over United States

The Croatian under‑18 men's water polo team captured the world title at the tournament in Rio Maior, Portugal, by defeating the United States 21‑20 after a dramatic penalty shootout. The regular time ended 14‑14, and the match was decided in the ninth series of penalties when Nardo Skejic scored the winning goal with seconds remaining. The victory marked Croatia’s second junior world championship, the first since the 2016 U‑20 bronze in Zagreb. Toni Galušić from Zadar became the city’s first player to win a gold medal at a senior‑level international water‑polo event. Individual awards included best goalkeeper Jetta Taylor and player‑of‑the‑match honors for Skejic. Celebrations followed across Croatia, with fans and officials praising the young squad’s performance.